Introduction

We would like to thank Synology for supplying the review sample.



Today's NAS servers can also play a major role in a surveillance system setup and aren't solely there for a ton of safe storage capacity or their multimedia capabilities. More and more users are interested in remotely monitoring their homes, workplaces, etc., and having immediate access to the corresponding footage without having any major storage limitations as is usually the case with cloud storage solutions is becoming more and more important. The easiest way to achieve this is by utilizing a NAS with a number of IP cameras that cover your space, one that includes HDDs of high reliability and capacity. We want to, firstly, explore the surveillance capabilities a budget NAS like the Synology DS416j can offer and will, secondly, take a look at the beta version of Synology's new Surveillance Station 8 since it introduces many new features, including a fully featured native client.

Synology says the Surveillance Station client to have been designed to fully exploit the PC system's computational power, which allows you to watch more video streams on the same monitor. The new native client and web version of the Surveillance Station beta supports the H.265 codec which only needs a third of the network bandwidth when watching live views and recordings, as compared to the H.264 codec. This is a major improvement since it not only reduces bandwidth utilization but lowers storage consumption. The Surveillance Station client also comes in a portable version to better allow users to manage deployment.

Specifications

This NAS is equipped with a dual-core Marvell Armada 388 88F6828 CPU, clocked at 1.3 GHz. According to its official specs, this CPU includes a floating point unit and a hardware-encryption engine for faster speeds with encrypted file transfers. With only a 5 W TDP, the 88F6828 CPU doesn't need active cooling, allowing for increased reliability and less noise. Only 512 MB of RAM support this Marvell CPU, but DSM is also very light on resources and doesn't require more to "run" properly.

There is only one Ethernet port, which means the DS416j doesn't support port teaming for increased transfer speeds through the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). In a budget NAS like this one, it is probably too much to ask for two Gigabit Ethernet ports, and LACP also takes a compatible switch for it to be utilized. The other I/O ports include an USB 3.0 and an USB 2.0 port. This NAS doesn't have any eSATA ports, which could be used to increase its storage capacity should four bays not be enough.

Synology says the DS416j to consume very little energy and we will as per normal for our reviews confirm those claims using our equipment. Noise output is also very low, with official specs mentioning 19.1 dB(A) with the server at idle.

The maximum number of supported camera licenses will cover home use, and with two licenses provided for free, you are all set for a fair start. The DS416j's transcoding capabilities put it into Synology's Group 2 category, which means its media-streaming capabilities are somewhat restricted.

DS416j Packaging

The box is a plain cardboard without any graphics or colored stickers. It is sturdy enough to protect what is inside well, which is what matters the most.

DS416j Contents & Bundle

Inside the box, the NAS is protected by packing foam.


Here's the accessories box. There are two sets of screws, an Ethernet cable, the quick-start guide and power brick.


The power brick is sourced by EDAC Power, and its model number is EA10951F-120. It can provide up to 7.5 A with +12V output, or 90 W of power.

Amcrest IP2M-841B Packaging

We also received a couple Amcrest IP2M-841B IP cameras with the NAS.


The features and technical specifications of these IP cameras are depicted on their boxes.

Amcrest IP2M-841B Contents & Bundle

The sleeving of the camera's box hides a pale blue cardboard on which a sticker provides the model number, weight, and size. The first thing you will see once you open the box is the quick-start guide.


The bundle includes a base for mounting the camera to the wall, an Ethernet cable, a set of screws, and the power supply, which is pretty small. There's also the user's guide, a warranty guide, and a security notice.


The provided power adapter can provide 2 A with 5 V output, and its model number is HKC0115020-2B.